Digital Domain Institute Draws Ire From Industry Vets

Digital Domain, the James Cameron-founded effects company that covers, TV, commercials, and movies, such as the recent “Transformers” films, kicked off the “Digital Domain Institute” in March in partnership with the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts.

For anyone looking to get into the special effects side of the entertainment industry, Digital Domain Institute sure sounds like a good way to do it. Students are offered a three-year diploma in digital arts, bachelor of fine arts from Florida State University–all at the reasonable price (relatively speaking, of course) of up to $28,000 a year.

But, according to a report by the LA Times, one of the strongest draws is also drawing some serious ire from employees of other visual effects companies. In addition to offering competitive tuition fees for a digital arts degree, the Digital Domain Institute also allows students to volunteer to work at the studio to receive college credits.

The problem, critics claim, is that the students are working for Digital Domain for free. Students can receive course credit for the course by way of an internship through Digital Domain, but they must work for at least 150 hours and, again, students will be working there for free.

The fact that Digital Domain is essentially getting away with free labor, an admittedly common business practice, via college students was enough to cause somewhat of an uproar in the industry, but the situation wasn’t helped when John Textor, CEO of Digital Domain Media, had this to say at a recent presentation to investors (via LA Times):

“What’s interesting is the relationship between the digital studio and the college,” Textor said in the presentation. “Not only is this a first… but 30% of the workforce at our digital studio down in Florida is not only going to be free, with student labor, it’s going to be labor that’s actually paying us for the privilege of working on our films.”

Textor’s comments added even more fuel to the fire, and the LA Times reports that several figures in the industry are upset. One comment to come out from all of the outrage comes from VFX soldier, an anonymous blogger that runs a widely-read site covering the industry.

VFX Soldier said: “A major [visual effects] company is now turning the routinely accepted practice of free labor into a major part of its business plan.”

In response to all of the criticsm over Textor’s comments, the CEO said that his words in the investor presentation were “taken out of context.” Not sure how, but we’ll take him at his word. Here’s what he had to say in defense of the program, via the LA Times:

“Find me another visual effects company that is as committed to growing jobs in North America as Digital Domain,” Textor said. “If this is taking advantage of kids, I wish somebody would have taken advantage of me when I was in school…. For $28,000 a year, you get an FSU degree and get to work at one of the leading visual effects companies in the world.”

For more on the controversy, including comments from more industry insiders, you can check out the LA Times’ report at this link.

Do you think that Digital Domain should be able to incorporate free labor from college students into its business plan so heavily? Is it even a big deal to begin with?